Tech Square ATL Celebrates National Inventors Month
May is National Inventors Month and we at Tech Square ATL (TSQATL) Social Club are celebrating the makers that changed the game with their inventions. We asked our community, “Who are some inventors that inspire you?” Here’s what they had to say:
Elon Musk
1971 - Present
Elon Musk is considered, by many, to be a modern-day Thomas Edison. His futurist ideas and revolutionary companies, such as Tesla Motors, SpaceX, and PayPal (just to name a few), have changed the way we think about technology.
“Compared to the majority of tech innovators over the last couple decades, Elon Musk is one of the few that are actually trying to push humanity into the next era. He wants to and has achieved things that we have only seen in SciFi films (i.e., reusable rockets that land themselves).
Beyond that, instead of making digital advertising platforms (Facebook, Google, etc.), he is actually building and manufacturing things. It’s amazing! I am biased because my company manufactures tech products, so it’s awesome to see someone of his stature represent manufacturers of America. I highly recommend his biography, Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future by Ashlee Vance. ”
Dr. Shirley Jackson
1946 - Present
Dr. Jackson is the first African-American woman to have earned a doctorate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She conducted breakthrough basic scientific research that enabled others to invent the portable fax, touch tone telephone, solar cells, fiber optic cables, and the technology behind caller ID and call waiting.
“My favorite inventors include African-Americans whose inventions we use regularly today - but they are not widely recognized for their technologies. For example, Dr. Shirley Jackson is a theoretical scientist that paved the way for touch screen phones and caller ID. I recommend taking the time to research everyday items you interact with and find out the inventor. You might be surprised by what you discover!”
Hedy Lamarr
1914 - 2000
Hedy Lamarr left her mark on the technology field in the 1940s by developing “frequency hopping” - a way of jumping around on radio frequencies in order to avoid a third party jamming your signal. This led to technologies used prominently today, like Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth, although she would not receive recognition for her technology until 50 years later. Fun fact: She was also the model for Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs!
“She was an actress and known for her beauty, but she was a genius as well... she didn’t get a lot of credit back in the day for her accomplishments, but later on they figured it out!”
Steve Jobs
1955 - 2011
As the co-founder, chief executive and chairman of Apple Computer, Steve Jobs was a visionary and designer that transformed modern technology with Apple products such as the iPhone, iPod, and iMac.
“Steve Jobs absolutely revolutionized UI/UX design and user interface. Apple products continue to be at the top of their class in both external, internal and user interface.”